Fans watch the action at Yankee Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Every once in a long while, still, a moment arrives that can inspire tears, awe and a sense of real civic achievement. On Opening Day at the new Yankee Stadium, that cathartic event occurred in the very first inning when Bald Vinny Milano raised his Bud Light bottle toward the heavens, and the Creatures in Section 203 chanted, "We got beer!"

This long overdue demonstration of religious freedom marked the end of a repressive, cruel Prohibition era in the bleachers that must never be forgotten or repeated. The spirited celebration Thursday began with considerable imbibing at a nearby bodega in a secret location, then continued inside the Yankees' Fortress of Solitude.

If alcohol were ever needed, it was on this bittersweet afternoon when the Creatures came to bury the old stadium and stumble upon gray, unfamiliar benches. And when the place was christened by a Chief Wahoo laugher, 10-2, which isn't exactly the same as an inaugural Babe Ruth homer.

Is this the Curse of Broken Public Parkland Promises?

"At least the Mets had the decency to tear down their old stadium," said Israeli George. "Having the old Yankee Stadium across the street is like shooting a parent in front of the kids."

Everything seemed vaguely familiar, yet completely different. Deja cuckoo. It didn't help when David Wells decided to visit the bleachers as some kind of supportive statement, then foolishly got himself a ticket for the left field bleachers.

It's times like these that remind us all how Boomer single-handedly blew the 2003 World Series.

"What's that about?" Mike Donahue wondered, after Wells settled in some far-distant section. "All those years, and then he shows up at the wrong frat house. Couldn't he ask a security guard for directions?"

The new stadium gets very mixed reviews from the Creatures. There is much to like about the place, as long as one's eyes are focused straight ahead on the elegant field and frieze above. But turn your head to the side or behind, and horrors abound.

There is no drainage in the front row of Section 203, so puddles were hanging around from Tuesday. There are crowded, metallic walkways that Joe Ficarelli thinks might well be a hazard. Ficarelli ought to know these things because he's a firefighter with Ladder 61 in the Bronx.

There is that awful flower bed in front of the section, which may yet double as a urinal trough, given the opportunity. There is a stupid generic sign that says, "Be alert for bats and/or balls."

How, exactly, is a bat going to reach the bleachers?

"This place isn't going to last 40 years," John Z. predicted. "We're going to tear it apart in 20."

This stadium has divided the Creatures into yet more warring factions, as if there weren't enough feuding already. The acoustics aren't as edgy. The obstructed-view seats are a disgrace. All the fencing around the bleachers leads to "a caged-in feeling," Donald Simpson decided.

Yet at the same time, it is still only $12 a pop. "To all those fans who are complaining, I say, 'Grow up,'" said Statman, who was using multicolored pencils to fill in his scorecard because this was a special occasion. "Give it time."

Milton Ousland, the cowbell man, was also tired of all the whining. "I'm not going to start nitpicking," he said. "This is a beautiful new stadium."

Milton showed up with an aging cowbell that looks more like a crushed beer can than a musical instrument. He has started a collection for a new one, which he figures will cost maybe $50 - about $1.499999950 billion less than the stadium.

This is the sort of cause that can lead to a renewed sense of community.

It wasn't so terrible, really, except for the game. Creatures were still sitting with Creatures, doing Creature things. Water Girl Debbie had helped Tina Lewis and Marc Chalpin with the final seating arrangements, so that exes wouldn't be placed next to exes, and so that Squid splinter members wouldn't have to endure archenemies, like myself.

"The best part about this place is you look around and see the same people in the same spots. For that we owe the Yankees big time," Chalpin said.